Hoboken Historical Museum Perfects a Decade at the Swingin Speakeasy

If Prohibition really hit Hoboken, this town would be in A LOT of trouble.

According to History.com, "The 18th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1919, had banned the manufacture and sale of 'intoxicating liquors,' and at 12 A.M. on January 16, 1920, the federal Volstead Act closed every tavern, bar and saloon in the United States.

On Saturday, the Elks Lodge became the town Speakeasy in support of the Hoboken Historical Museum and over 250 people came clad in canes, hats, feathers, and devil may care attitudes.

Title sponsored by Care Point Health, (other sponsors included: W Hotels, Hufnagel Landscape, R.E.D. Real Estate Development, Palisades Medical Center, the Schmalzbauer family and more), the Swingin' Speakeasy's intent is to raise money through ticket sales and live auction to support the museum's mission.

While the Hoboken Historical Museum does get grants from the state, they must raise a large majority of funding from their community to show that the support is there, or the state funds will not be granted. In years past, the museum has held other main events like the Hoboken Hoedown.

Considering the museum's quest for historical preservation, we'd say this was their best idea yet, to rip through the roarin' twenties for a night. Attendees could not have taken to the concept better.

Mystery bottles of wine lined a back table and guests could buy a numbered cork out of top hats to redeem at the end. Every bottle was worth at least $20, but some were worth upwards of $50. Either way, you were leaving with a bottle of wine in the wine draw. Not a bad deal!

A buffet offered eggplant rollatini, flank steak, pork loin, rice, salad and broccoli rabe while an appetizer table spilled over with fruits, cheeses and other antipasto.

The night culminated with an exciting live auction for prizes like a private waterfront condo in Pompano Beach or a family membership to the Shipyard rooftop pool. The bob-cut and beaded girls seemed to enjoy holding up their auction paddles, almost as much as their long cigarettes!

The final monies are still being tallied but Communications Director for the museum Melissa Abernathy said, "I can share a preliminary estimate for the dedicated fundraiser for the next exhibition, 'Destination Hoboken: The Immigrant's Story: 1892-1924.' We were blown away by the participants' generosity -- in one night, that appeal raised more than $12,000. The exhibit opens August 3."